Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Yesterday I left off with this statement: Developing an ear to hear by faith can only come by the word of God.

As I closed out my posting of that devotional I heard “Why faith?” That question led me to a period of meditation upon which faith took on a much more complex role than mere belief. Faith is defined by many religions as nothing more than belief. Some might even assign action to faith, if you believe you should act upon it.

Here in Ephesians 2:8 I find faith as being a conduit or pipeline for grace to be delivered. Now grace is defined by many as unmerited favor and these favors take on many forms as God gives us what we need to have this abundant life. Yet the conduit for grace is still faith, something more substantial than mere belief.

Romans 3:3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?

That conduit of faith exists whether you believe it or not. Faith is not dependent upon belief.

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

The turning point in my meditation was in this verse, that faith is pleasing to God. There is an interaction, more than mere communication, more than mere belief, this conduit isn’t one way; it is reciprocal. God receives as well as gives thru faith.

Now what can we ever give God thru faith? Since it is pleasing to God and reciprocal then I would say the answer is love.

Faith is how God receives our love for Him.